When You Look Like the Enemy

Think success in farming has nothing to do with sacrifice on the front line? 

At the start of World War II, Japanese American farmers controlled 40% of California farm production, dominating crops like tomatoes, celery, and snap beans made newly available nationwide with the success of refrigerated railway cars. 45% of Japanese Americans held agricultural jobs on the west coast as a result. 

In this episode, we follow Japanese American veteran Lawson Ichiro Sakai’s Service story, from his family farm in Montebello, California through the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the internment of Japanese immigrants, and the segregated 442nd Regimental Combat Team’s sacrifice as they proved their patriotism in the European theatre. 

Find photos from this episode of Service, an episode transcription, and more at www.ServicePodcast.org, where you can also share your Service stories and leave messages for all of the veterans you hear on Service.

And we’re always sharing extra audio and nerdy food history on social media - we’re @servicepodcast on Instagram and Facebook.

Thank you to the Japanese American Veterans Association for connecting us with Lawson for this episode.

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